ppl. a. Gained by hard or honorable effort.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., I. iii. 51 (Qq.). My well-won [Ff. -worne] thrift Which he cals interest.
1786. Burns, To Auld Mare, iv. Tho’ it was sma’, ’twas weel-won gear. Ibid. (1791), To R. G. of F., 43. His well-won bays, than life itself more dear.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxxix. I … will not lose weel-won gear with the like of him if it may be helped.
1842. J. Aiton, Domest. Econ. (1857), 59. A well-won penny is worth an ill-won pound.
1879. R. Lowe, in 19th Cent., June, 992. The great and well-won reputation of Mr. Wallace as a scientific observer entitles him to respectful attention whenever he propounds any doctrine or theory, however startling.
